The Characteristics of Benign & Malignant Tumours
- Tumours are groups of abnormal cells that form lumps or growths
- They can start in any of the cells in our bodies
- Tumours have different characteristics depending on whether they are cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign)
- All tumours may cause harm to the body by:
- Damaging the organ in which the tumour is located
- Causing blockages or obstructions
- Damaging other organs by exerting pressure
Malignant tumours
- Malignant tumours are cancerous
- Malignant tumours cause cancer by growing rapidly, then invading and destroying surrounding tissues
- Cells within malignant tumours secret chemicals that cause the formation of blood vessels to supply the tumour with nutrients, growth factors and oxygen
- Cells can break off these tumours and spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, this is called metastasis
- Metastasis causes the spread of tumours to other places in the body, affecting multiple organs
- When removed through surgery, malignant tumours can still grow back
- The formation of malignant tumours can be initiated by carcinogens such as:
- UV or X-ray exposure
- Tobacco from cigarettes
- Asbestos
- Processed meat
Benign tumours
- Benign tumours are not cancerous
- These tumours grow slowly
- Benign tumours do not invade other tissues and do not metastasise, unlike malignant tumours
- These tumours can cause damage such as blockages or by exerting pressure on the organ it is growing in or those surrounding it
- When removed, benign tumours do not usually grow back
- The formation of benign tumours can be initiated by:
- Inflammation or infection
- Injury
- Diet
- Genetics
- Toxins and radiation
- Examples of benign tumours are:
- Polyps found in the nose, colon and ovaries
- Non-cancerous brain tumours
- Warts, caused by a viral infection
